Wear component stabilization for material handling implement

ABSTRACT

A wear component assembly for use with a material handling implement can include an adapter configured for attachment to a lip of the material handling implement, the adapter having a forward-projecting nose, and a wear component including a pocket configured to receive the nose therein, the pocket having a deepest internal surface, and the surface being longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose. Another wear component assembly can include an adapter and a wear component, and in which contact between an inclined surface formed on the nose and an inclined surface formed in the pocket prevents contact between a deepest pocket surface and a forward end of the nose. A material handling implement can include a wear component including a pocket that receives an adapter nose therein, the pocket having a deepest internal surface longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to mining, excavation and other material handling equipment and, in an example described below, more particularly provides for stabilization of a wear component on an implement.

Material handling implements (such as buckets, shovels and other types of excavation and mining implements) are frequently provided with replaceable wear components. For example, wear components can be used to protect a forward material-engaging lip of a material handling implement, in order to prevent or delay repair or replacement of the lip, and to achieve other purposes (such as, to enhance the effectiveness of the implement in engaging or breaking up the material).

The wear components are subjected to a variety of different loads from various directions during material handling operations. In general, the more a wear component is allowed to deflect in response to those loads, the more rapid and greater will be the wear of the wear component, and the sooner the wear component will need to be replaced. Replacement of wear components can be costly and time-consuming.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of securing wear components on material handling implements. Such improvements are provided to the art by the present disclosure, and these improvements can be realized in a wide variety of different configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a material handling implement which can embody principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative top view of an example of an adapter which may be used on the FIG. 1 material handling implement.

FIG. 3 is a representative side view of the adapter.

FIG. 4 is a representative horizontal cross-sectional view of an example of a wear component that may be used with the FIGS. 2 & 3 adapter.

FIG. 5 is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of the wear component.

FIG. 6 is a representative horizontal cross-sectional view of the wear component positioned on the adapter.

FIG. 7 is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of the wear component positioned on the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is an implement 10 for a material handling apparatus which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the implement 10 is merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the implement 10 described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.

In the example of FIG. 1 , the implement 10 is of the type known as a “dipper” or “bucket” of a cable shovel, but it should be clearly understood that the principles of this disclosure can be utilized with other types of mining, excavation (or other material handling) implements. In the illustration of FIG. 1 , the implement 10 is rotated so that a bottom material-engaging side of the implement is clearly visible. From this perspective, it may be seen that multiple teeth 12 are mounted on the implement 10 for piercing the earth or other material.

The teeth 12 are typically rapidly worn down or otherwise damaged during use of the implement 10, and so the teeth are replaced periodically or when excessive wear is evident. Specially configured adapters 14 releasably secure the teeth 12 to a forward edge of a lip 16 of the implement 10 in this example. In other examples, the teeth 12 may be secured directly to the lip 16.

The teeth 12 and adapter 14 are merely examples of wear components that can be securely and conveniently attached to a material handling implement using the principles of this disclosure. Other examples of wear components include shrouds 18, 20 which protect forward material-engaging edges of the lip 16 and sides of the implement 10. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular types of wear components.

As used herein, the term “forward” is used to indicate a direction in which the implement 10 displaces to engage a material. Thus, a forward edge of the lip 16 would first engage the material, if the forward edge were not protected by the teeth 12, adapter 14 and shrouds 18, 20. The term “rearward” is used to indicate an opposite direction. Thus, in the FIG. 1 example, a rearward direction would be toward a back of the implement 10 from the forward edge of the lip 16.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 2 & 3 , top and side views of an example of an adapter 14 that may be used with the FIG. 1 material handling implement 10 is representatively illustrated. The adapter 14 is described below as it may be used with the FIG. 1 material handling implement 10, but it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of the adapter 14 with any particular type of material handling implement.

The adapter 14 as depicted in FIGS. 2 & 3 includes upper and lower legs 22, 24 configured to straddle the lip 16 of the implement 10. In this example, the lip 16 would be received in a recess 26 formed between the legs 22, 24, and then the legs would be welded to respective upper and lower sides of the lip. In other examples, the adapter 14 could be attached to the lip 16 by other means (such as, using fasteners, connectors, wedges, etc.).

A nose 28 projects forward from a body 30 of the adapter 14. In this example, the nose 28 is angled downward somewhat (e.g., a longitudinal axis 32 of the nose is inclined downward in the forward direction relative to the legs 22, 24). In other examples, the nose 28 may be angled upward or parallel relative to the body 30 or legs 22, 24.

A forward end of the nose 28 is defined by a planar surface 34. In this example, the surface 34 is oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 32 of the nose 28. In other examples, the surface 34 may not be planar (e.g., the surface could be curved), and may not be orthogonal to the axis 32. Thus, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular shape or orientation of any of the physical features of the nose 28 as described herein or depicted in the drawings.

The end surface 34 is encircled by four inclined surfaces 36. The surfaces 36 are inclined inward (toward the axis 32) in a forward direction. An included angle a is formed between the side surfaces 36 (see FIG. 2 ), and an included angle b is formed between the upper and lower surfaces 36 (see FIG. 3 ). The angles a, b may be different, or they may be the same, in different examples.

Although four of the inclined surfaces 36 are depicted in the FIGS. 2 & 3 example, any other number of surfaces may be used in other examples. If only a single surface 36 is used, then the surface 36 can have a frusta-conical shape.

An opening 38 is formed laterally through the nose 28 for receiving a connector or fastener therein, in order to mount a wear component onto the nose. As described more fully below, a tooth 12 is attached to the adapter 14. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of wear component with the adapter 14.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 4 & 5 , respective horizontal and vertical cross-sectional views of an example of a tooth 12 that may be used with the adapter 14 of FIGS. 2 & 3 are representatively illustrated. The FIGS. 4 & 5 tooth 12 may be used with other adapters, or may be attached directly to a lip of an implement, in keeping with the scope of this disclosure.

For convenience, the tooth 12 is described below as it may be used with the FIGS. 2 & 3 adapter 14. Openings 48 are formed in side walls 50 of the tooth 12 to receive a connector or fastener to attach the tooth to the adapter 14.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 & 5 , the tooth 12 has a forward end 40 configured to pierce, penetrate or break up material engaged by a lip of an implement on which the tooth is mounted via the adapter 14. In this example, the forward end is curved upward in the forward direction and has a broad scoop shape. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular type or shape of the tooth forward end 40.

An internal recess or pocket 42 is formed in a rearward end 44 of the tooth 12. The pocket 42 extends forward from the rearward end 44 and terminates at a deepest surface 46 in the tooth 12 (farthest from the rearward end).

Inclined surfaces 52 encircle the deepest surface 46. The surfaces 52 are complementarily shaped relative to the inclined surfaces 36 on the nose 28. Thus, in this example, the included angle a is formed between the side surfaces 52 (see FIG. 4 ) and the included angle b is formed between the upper and lower surfaces 52 (see FIG. 5 ). If only a single surface 52 is used, then the angles a, b can be the same.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 6 & 7 , respective horizontal and vertical cross-sectional views of a portion of a wear component assembly 54 comprising the tooth 12 positioned on the adapter 14 are representatively illustrated. As viewed in FIGS. 6 & 7 , the nose 28 is fully received in the pocket 42, so that a fastener or connector can be installed in the aligned openings 38, 48 to releasably secure the tooth 12 to the adapter 14.

Note that the inclined surfaces 36 on the nose 28 are in contact with the inclined surfaces 52 formed in the tooth 12. In this manner, loads due to forward penetration of the tooth 12 into the earth or another material will be reacted at these engaged surfaces 36, 52. The inclined orientation of the surfaces 36, 52 will act to stabilize the tooth 12 relative to the longitudinal axis 32 of the nose 28. The contact between the surfaces 36, 52 will also react loads that are oblique to the axis 32.

Note, also, that there is a gap G between the end surface 34 of the nose 28 and the deepest surface 46 of the pocket 42 in the tooth 12. This gap G ensures that the nose 28 does not “bottom out” in the pocket 42, and that the surfaces 36, 52 can continue to contact each other as the tooth 12 and adapter 14 wear during use.

It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of securing wear components on material handling implements. In the examples described above, the tooth 12 is attached to the adapter 14 in a manner that stabilizes the tooth on the adapter, due to contact between the inclined surfaces 36, 52.

The above disclosure provides to the art a wear component assembly 54 for use with a material handling implement 10. In one example, the wear component assembly 54 comprises: an adapter 14 configured for attachment to a lip 16 of the material handling implement 10, the adapter 14 having a forward-projecting nose 28; and a wear component 12 including a pocket 42 configured to receive the nose 28 therein, the pocket 42 having a deepest internal first surface 46, and the first surface 46 being longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose 28.

The forward end of the nose 28 may be encircled by at least one inclined second surface 36. The first surface 46 may be encircled by at least one inclined internal third surface 52 of the pocket 42. The inclined second surface 36 may contact the inclined third surface 52.

The second surface 36 may contact the third surface 52 while the first surface 46 is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose 28. The forward end of the nose 28 may comprise a planar fourth surface 34 that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 32 of the nose 28.

The second surface 36 may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 32. The third surface 52 may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 32.

Contact between at least one inclined second surface 36 formed on the nose 28 and at least one internal inclined third surface 52 formed in the pocket 42 may prevent contact between the first surface 46 and the forward end of the nose 28.

Also provided to the art by the above disclosure is a wear component assembly 54 that comprises: an adapter 14 configured for attachment to a lip 16 of a material handling implement 10, the adapter 14 having a forward-projecting nose 28; and a wear component 12 including a pocket 42 configured to receive the nose 28 therein, the pocket 42 having a deepest internal first surface 46. Contact between at least one inclined second surface 36 formed on the nose 28 and at least one internal inclined third surface 52 formed in the pocket 42 prevents contact between the first surface 46 and a forward end of the nose 28.

The forward end of the nose 28 may be encircled by the second surface 36, and the first surface 46 may be encircled by the third surface 52 of the pocket 42. The second surface 36 may contact the third surface 52 while the first surface 46 is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose 28. The forward end of the nose 28 may comprise a planar fourth surface 34 that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 32 of the nose 28.

A material handling implement 10 is also described above. In one example, the implement 10 can comprise: a lip 16; an adapter 14 attached to the lip 16, the adapter 14 having a forward-projecting nose 28; and a wear component 12 including a pocket 42 that receives the nose 28 therein. The pocket 42 has a deepest internal first surface 46, and the first surface 46 is longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose 28.

The forward end of the nose 28 may be encircled by at least one inclined second surface 36, the first surface 46 may be encircled by at least one inclined internal third surface 52 of the pocket 42, and the inclined second surface 36 may contact the inclined third surface 52. The second surface 36 may contact the third surface 52 while the first surface 46 is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose 28. The forward end of the nose 28 may comprise a planar fourth surface 34 that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 32 of the nose 28.

Contact between at least one inclined second surface 36 formed on the nose 28 and at least one internal inclined third surface 52 formed in the pocket 42 prevents contact between the first surface 46 and the forward end of the nose 28.

Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wear component assembly for use with a material handling implement, the wear component assembly comprising: an adapter configured for attachment to a lip of the material handling implement, the adapter having a forward-projecting nose; and a wear component including a pocket configured to receive the nose therein, the pocket having a deepest internal first surface, and the first surface being longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose.
 2. The wear component assembly of claim 1, in which the forward end of the nose is encircled by at least one inclined second surface, the first surface is encircled by at least one inclined internal third surface of the pocket, and the inclined second surface contacts the inclined third surface.
 3. The wear component assembly of claim 2, in which the second surface contacts the third surface while the first surface is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose.
 4. The wear component assembly of claim 2, in which the forward end of the nose comprises a planar fourth surface that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the nose.
 5. The wear component assembly of claim 4, in which the second surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 6. The wear component assembly of claim 4, in which the third surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 7. The wear component assembly of claim 1, in which contact between at least one inclined second surface formed on the nose and at least one internal inclined third surface formed in the pocket prevents contact between the first surface and the forward end of the nose.
 8. A wear component assembly for use with a material handling implement, the wear component assembly comprising: an adapter configured for attachment to a lip of the material handling implement, the adapter having a forward-projecting nose; and a wear component including a pocket configured to receive the nose therein, the pocket having a deepest internal first surface, and in which contact between at least one inclined second surface formed on the nose and at least one internal inclined third surface formed in the pocket prevents contact between the first surface and a forward end of the nose.
 9. The wear component assembly of claim 8, in which the forward end of the nose is encircled by the at least one second surface, and the first surface is encircled by the at least one third surface of the pocket.
 10. The wear component assembly of claim 8, in which the second surface contacts the third surface while the first surface is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose.
 11. The wear component assembly of claim 8, in which the forward end of the nose comprises a planar fourth surface that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the nose.
 12. The wear component assembly of claim 11, in which the second surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 13. The wear component assembly of claim 11, in which the third surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 14. A material handling implement, comprising: a lip; an adapter attached to the lip, the adapter having a forward-projecting nose; and a wear component including a pocket that receives the nose therein, the pocket having a deepest internal first surface, and the first surface being longitudinally spaced apart from a forward end of the nose.
 15. The material handling implement of claim 1, in which the forward end of the nose is encircled by at least one inclined second surface, the first surface is encircled by at least one inclined internal third surface of the pocket, and the inclined second surface contacts the inclined third surface.
 16. The material handling implement of claim 2, in which the second surface contacts the third surface while the first surface is longitudinally spaced apart from the forward end of the nose.
 17. The material handling implement of claim 2, in which the forward end of the nose comprises a planar fourth surface that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the nose.
 18. The material handling implement of claim 4, in which the second surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 19. The material handling implement of claim 4, in which the third surface is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
 20. The material handling implement of claim 1, in which contact between at least one inclined second surface formed on the nose and at least one internal inclined third surface formed in the pocket prevents contact between the first surface and the forward end of the nose. 